A transport arrangement configured to transport piece goods includes a first transport track, a first carrier which is movable with respect to this first transport track, a second transport track, and preferably a second carrier which is movable with respect to this second transport track. The arrangement further includes at least one first coil arrangement configured to move the first carrier with respect to the first transport track and at least one second coil arrangement configured to move the second carrier with respect to the second transport track. At least one coil arrangement is provided to move at least at times the first carrier with respect to the first transport track and at least at times to move the second carrier with respect to the second transport track.
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1. A transport arrangement for transporting piece goods, comprising: a first transport track; a first carrier movable with respect to the first transport track; a second transport track; a second carrier movable with respect to the second transport track; at least one first coil arrangement configured to move the first carrier with respect to the first transport track; at least one second coil arrangement configured to move the second carrier with respect to the second transport track; and a first identification element of the first carrier configured to unambiguously define the first carrier, wherein at least one coil arrangement of the at least one first coil arrangement and the at least one second coil arrangement is configured to move, at least at times, the first carrier with respect to the first transport track and, at least at times, to move the second carrier with respect to the second transport track.
A transport system for moving items includes a first track and a carrier that moves along it, plus a second track and a second carrier. Coils move each carrier along its respective track. A unique ID tag on the first carrier distinguishes it from others. A coil setup is designed to move either the first carrier on the first track, or the second carrier on the second track, at different times. This allows the same coils to be used for both tracks, potentially switching between them to optimize transport.
2. The transport arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one coil arrangement is configured to move one of the first carrier with respect to the first transport track and the second carrier with respect to the second transport track.
The transport system from the previous description has coils that move either the first carrier on the first track, or the second carrier on the second track. The coils don't have to move both simultaneously. This means the system uses shared magnetic drive components to propel one carrier at a time along either of the two tracks.
3. The transport arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one coil arrangement is displaceable between the first transport track and the second transport track.
In the transport system described earlier, the coil setup that moves the carriers can be physically moved between the first and second tracks. This allows the coil to drive either the first carrier or the second carrier, depending on its current position. Instead of dedicated coils for each track, a mobile coil system provides a flexible way to move the carriers.
4. The transport arrangement according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one coil arrangement is displaceable between at least one end section of one track to a section of another track.
Continuing from the previous claim, the movable coil setup can travel from the end of one track to a specific point on another track. For example, the coil unit can move from the end of the first track to a midpoint on the second track to provide motion to the second carrier at that location. This describes a more specific path for the mobile coil system, detailing its ability to relocate between track sections.
5. The transport arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one coil arrangement comprises at least two coils.
The coil setup in the transport system uses at least two individual coils working together. This suggests an arrangement where multiple coils generate a magnetic field to drive the carriers. This is relevant in, for instance, a linear motor setup using multiple coils for more effective propulsion.
6. The transport arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein at least one section of the first transport track is arranged adjacent to at least one section of the second transport track.
In the transport system, at least a part of the first track is next to a part of the second track. This means the tracks are physically close to each other in at least one section. The proximity facilitates the transfer of carriers or the movement of coils between tracks if the overall system design leverages this adjacency.
7. The transport arrangement according to claim 6 , wherein one section of the first transport track comprises, at least at times, a receiving space for receiving the at least one coil arrangement.
Building on the previous claim, a part of the first track has a space designed to hold the coil setup, at least temporarily. This describes a dedicated slot or holding area within the track for the coils. When the coil setup isn't actively moving the first carrier, it can reside within this recess, potentially to allow the second carrier use of those same coils.
8. The transport arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein a coupling mechanism is provided which, at least at times, couples a carrier to the at least one first coil arrangement or the at least one second coil arrangement.
The transport system uses a mechanism that can temporarily connect a carrier to a coil setup. This "coupling mechanism" allows the coil setup to grab and move a specific carrier only when needed. This implies a detachable connection that enables the shared use of coil setups between different carriers, as previously described.
9. The transport arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein: the first identification element is prevented from being changed or assigned to the second carrier, a second identification element of the second carrier unambiguously defines the second carrier, and the second identification element is prevented from being changed or assigned to the first carrier.
The first carrier has a unique and unchangeable ID that can't be assigned to the second carrier. Similarly, the second carrier has its own unique and unchangeable ID that can't be assigned to the first carrier. This establishes a clear method for identifying and differentiating the carriers. The system prevents ID conflicts, allowing tracking and control of individual carriers.
10. The transport arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of (i) the at least one first coil arrangement, (ii) the at least one second coil arrangement, (iii) the first carrier, and (iv) the second carrier comprises a sensor device configured to sense at least one characteristic feature of the transport arrangement.
The transport system incorporates sensors in at least one of these places: the coil setups, or the carriers themselves. These sensors are designed to detect certain features or conditions within the transport system. The detected information could include position, speed, load, or track status. This is valuable for monitoring and control purposes, enabling real-time data acquisition and feedback.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
October 23, 2015
May 30, 2017
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